Handgun Market Report

Attractive Opportunities

Global Demand Analysis & Sales Opportunities in Handgun Market 

• The annual demand for handgun was USD 3.76 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.01 billion in 2025, up 6.65% than the value in 2024.
• During the next 8 years (forecast period of 2025-2032), the handgun market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.25%. The annual demand will reach USD 6.13 billion in 2032, which is almost 1.5 times the demand in 2025.
• During 2025-2032, the handgun industry is expected to generate a cumulative sales opportunity of USD 40.18 billion.

High-Growth Market Segments: 

• North America is expected to be the dominant and fastest-growing region in the handgun market over the forecasted period.
• By type, Semi-Automatic Pistols segment accounted for the largest share of the handgun market and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
• By operation type, Automatic segment dominated the handgun market with the largest share and is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
• By end-user type, Defense & Homeland Security segment accounted for the largest share of the handgun market and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.

Market Statistics 

Have a look at the sales opportunities presented by the handgun market in terms of growth and market forecast.

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

A handgun is a type of short-barreled firearm designed to be held and operated with one hand. It includes pistols and revolvers and is commonly used for personal defense, law enforcement, and sport shooting. Handguns are favoured for their portability, ease of use, and effectiveness in close-range defense or target shooting.

Market Drivers: 

Rising Demand for Personal Safety and Self-Defense

• The increasing perception of security threats, coupled with rising crime rates in urban areas, is prompting more civilians to invest in handguns for personal protection.
• The expansion of concealed-carry permits in several regions is further encouraging civilian adoption of compact and easy-to-handle firearms.

Law Enforcement and Military Modernization

• Ongoing modernization programs among law enforcement and military agencies are driving the replacement of outdated sidearms with advanced handgun models.
• Emphasis on improved accuracy, reduced recoil, and modular designs is accelerating procurement activities, thereby boosting overall market growth.

Growth in Shooting Sports and Recreational Use

• The growing popularity of shooting sports, including target shooting and competitive handgun events, is fueling consumer interest in handguns.
• Increased participation in firearm training and recreational ranges is translating into higher sales, especially among hobbyists and sport shooters.

Market Challenges: 

Stringent Regulations and Legal Complexity

• The handgun market continues to face major challenges due to strict and often inconsistent regulations across different regions. Varying rules on background checks, licensing, and magazine limits make compliance complex for manufacturers.
• In addition, frequent policy shifts and rising political pressure further restrict consumer access and discourage market expansion in heavily regulated areas.

Market Opportunities: 

Technological Innovation

• The integration of advanced features such as polymer frames, biometric safeties, smart firing systems, and ergonomic enhancements is reshaping handgun design.
• These innovations are making firearms lighter, safer, and easier to use, driving broader consumer interest and creating new growth opportunities across various end-use industries.

Segments' Analysis

By Type 

“Semi-Automatic Pistols segment accounted for the largest share of the handgun market and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.”

• The handgun market is segmented by type into single-shot handguns (muzzleloaders), semi-automatic pistols, and revolvers.
• Semi-Automatic Pistols segment accounted for the largest share of the handgun market and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, due to rising demand for personal security, recreational shooting, and hunting. These pistols offer advantages such as faster firing rates, ease of handling, and higher magazine capacity.
• Additionally, increasing concerns over personal and national security, driven by cross-border tensions, political instability, and civil unrest, further drive consumer and institutional demand during the forecast period.

By End-User Type 

“Defense & Homeland Security segment accounted for the largest share of the handgun market and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.”

• The handgun market is segmented by mode of supply into trucks and trans-shipment & bunkering.
• Defense & Homeland Security segment accounted for the largest share of the handgun market and is further expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, due to rising global defense budgets and rapid technological advancements in modern warfare.
• Military and security modernization efforts, combined with rising threats from terrorism and border conflicts, are boosting the demand for advanced handguns, driving steady growth in the defense and homeland security segment.

Regional Analysis 

“North America is expected to be the dominant and fastest-growing region in the handgun market over the forecasted period.”

• In terms of region, the handgun market is segmented into the North American region, the European region, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world.
• North America is expected to be the dominant and fastest-growing region in the handgun market over the forecasted period, due to high civilian firearm ownership, supportive gun legislation, and strong demand for personal security.
• Additionally, the presence of leading firearm manufacturers and the growing popularity of recreational shooting sports contribute to sustained market growth, positioning North America as both the largest and fastest-growing regional market during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

Most of the major players compete in some of the factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the handgun market -  

• Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
• FN HERSTAL
• Ceska zbrojovka a.s.
• Israel Weapon Industries
• Colt's Manufacturing
• Glock GmbH
• SIG SAUER
• Beretta
• Smith & Wesson
• Kalashnikov Group

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

Are you a leading player in this market? We would love to include your name. Please write to us at [email protected]

Recent Developments/Mergers & Acquisitions: 

• In August 2023, India’s state-owned enterprise, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), introduced a new revolver named ‘Prabal’, marking a significant step in indigenous firearm innovation. This long-range revolver boasts an effective firing range of up to 50 meters, which is more than twice that of standard Indian revolvers currently available. The launch highlights AWEIL’s focus on enhancing performance and accuracy in civilian and security firearms through advanced design and engineering.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Market Segmentation 

This report studies the market, covering a period of 15 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

Handgun Market, by Type

• Single-Shot Handguns (Muzzleloaders)
• Semi-Automatic Pistols
• Revolvers

Handgun Market, by Operation Type

• Automatic
• Semi-Automatic
• Manual

Handgun Market, by End-User Type

• Defense & Homeland Security
• Self-Defense
• Sports
• Hunting
• Law Enforcement

Handgun Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Italy, The UK, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s handgun market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. 
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools.
• More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respected clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across industries. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to [email protected]